And second, three Democratic senators announced a bill to ban them outright.

The GPhA study concluded that when authorized generics are marketed during a 180-day exclusivity period for an independent generic company, they significantly reduce the incentives for independent generic firms to challenge brand-name patents and develop non-infringing processes.

The findings challenged the methodology, analysis and conclusions of a recent study by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America that reported discounts off brand prices up to 15.8% greater in markets with authorized generics than in those without them.